Cate Blanchett’s 2016 Oscars Armani Privé Gown: Inside Her Iconic Look and Sky-High Zanotti Heels

Cate Blanchett delivered one of the most unforgettable red-carpet moments of the decade when she arrived at the 2016 Academy Awards in a breathtaking custom Armani Privé gown.

Nominated for her performance in Carol, the two-time Oscar winner floated onto the red carpet in a seafoam-green, cap-sleeve mermaid gown embellished with hand-sewn Swarovski crystal clusters, soft feathers, and three-dimensional floral appliqués. This ethereal piece instantly commanded attention.

Cate Blanchett stuns at the 2016 Oscars in a seafoam Armani Privé mermaid gown adorned with hand-sewn floral appliqués and Swarovski crystals, styled with Giuseppe Zanotti heels and Tiffany & Co. jewels on February 28, 2016 (Credit: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.)

Grounding the delicate look with a striking dose of modern edge, Blanchett paired the couture creation with mirror-metallic six-inch Giuseppe Zanotti platforms featuring the designer’s signature circle peep toe.

She finished the ensemble with a Roger Vivier clutch and diamond Tiffany & Co. jewelry, creating a blend of drama, elegance, and polished glamour that remains one of the standout Oscars fashion moments of the 2010s.

Cate Blanchett Returns to the Red Carpet in Givenchy Fringe and Platform Heels at the Golden Globes

The previous month, Cate was also nominated for Best Actress at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, which were held in Los Angeles.

Cate Blanchett wears her blonde hair in a faux bob at the Golden Globes and Weinstein Company and Netflix 2016 After Party on January 11, 2016, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision / WENN / Brian To)

Cate showed up on the red carpet of the Golden Globe after-party wearing a custom pink fringe-and-lace dress by Givenchy, which she paired with platform heels from the same fashion house.

The actress wore her hair in an interesting faux bob and kept her makeup toned down.

Cate Blanchett glows in a blush fringe-and-lace Givenchy gown, showing off its sculptural movement as she arrives at the Golden Globes after-party

A close-up of Cate Blanchett’s satin platform Givenchy heels reveals their delicate ankle-tie detail beneath the gown’s cascading fringe

Cate Blanchett earned widespread acclaim and multiple nominations for Carol, and although she didn’t take home the top prizes that season, her momentum on the red carpet never wavered.

Cate Blanchett poses on the Golden Globes red carpet with husband Andrew Upton while highlighting the soft pastel tones of her custom Givenchy look

As she moved into new projects, her style evolved too—now embracing bolder silhouettes and high-impact glamour that aligned perfectly with her upcoming turn as Marvel’s first female onscreen supervillain.

Cate Blanchett Shines in Gold Sequin Gucci and Louboutin Pumps at the Thor: Ragnarok Premiere

By mid-2016, fresh off joining the cast of Thor: Ragnarok, Blanchett was stepping out in looks that matched the character’s striking presence and power.

She wore Christian Louboutin’s iconic Decoltish pumps, which Daisy Ridley wore with a stylish black Sara Battaglia Pre-Fall 2018 two-piece tuxedo at the 2018 Empire Awards.

Cate Blanchett lights up the Thor: Ragnarok premiere in a gold sequined Gucci Spring 2018 dress, styled with a vintage Fred Leighton statement necklace and sleek black Christian Louboutin “Decoltish” pumps at the El Capitan Theatre on October 10, 2017, in Los Angeles, California

By the time Thor: Ragnarok hit theaters, Cate Blanchett was entirely in her red-carpet stride again—trading her ethereal Oscars couture for bolder, high-impact looks that matched the film’s electric energy.

Cate Blanchett’s Evolving Red-Carpet Style: A Look at Her Most Iconic Shoe Moments

Over the next several years, Cate continued refining her signature mix of elegance and bold, architectural fashion—often anchored by unforgettable designer heels and carefully curated red-carpet styling choices.